What does it mean that Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath?

When Jesus says the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath, he is saying that he has authority over the Sabbath day itself. The Pharisees treated the Sabbath as a list of strict rules that even basic needs and acts of kindness could not cross. Jesus shows from Scripture that hunger and mercy were always allowed. By calling himself Lord of the Sabbath, he explains that the day belongs to him, and he has the right to show its true purpose: rest, worship, and doing good, not harsh rule-keeping.

Why did Jesus allow his disciples to pluck grain on the Sabbath?

The disciples were hungry as they walked through the fields, so they picked a little grain to eat. The Pharisees treated this like forbidden work. Jesus answered with two examples. David once ate holy bread when he and his men were hungry, and the priests “work” in the temple on the Sabbath and are not guilty. These show that works of necessity and worship do not break God’s law. Jesus is teaching that human need and mercy are not against the Sabbath, but fit what God intended.

Why did Jesus heal the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath?

The Pharisees asked if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath because they wanted a reason to accuse Jesus. He answered with a simple picture: if one of them had a sheep fall into a pit on the Sabbath, they would pull it out. If they would help an animal, how much more should a person be helped? Then he healed the man’s hand. By doing this, Jesus shows that it is right to do good and show mercy on the Sabbath, and that love of people is at the heart of God’s law.

What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit in this passage?

In this passage, some said Jesus cast out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of demons. They saw clear works of God’s Spirit, freeing a man who was blind and mute, yet they called that work satanic. Jesus explains that any sin or insult can be forgiven, even harsh words against himself, but speaking against the Holy Spirit in this way will not be forgiven. This is a settled, hard refusal to admit God’s work, calling light darkness. It shows a heart that will not repent or receive mercy.

What does Jesus mean by a house or kingdom divided against itself?

Jesus answers the charge that he casts out demons by Satan with simple logic. If Satan were fighting against his own demons, his kingdom would fall apart. A house or city torn in two cannot stand. So if demons are being driven out, that is not Satan attacking himself, but a stronger one coming against him. Jesus goes on to say that if he casts out demons by the Spirit of God, then God’s kingdom has come near. The picture shows that Jesus is the stronger one defeating the evil one’s rule.

Why does Jesus say people will answer for every idle word?

Jesus has just spoken about trees and fruit, and how words show what is inside the heart. Then he warns that people will give account for every idle word in the day of judgment. Idle words are careless, empty, or evil words that come out of a careless or evil heart. He is not talking about a slip of the tongue now and then, but about how our speech reveals who we really are. Our words show our faith or unbelief. They will either show we belong to God or show our rejection of him.

What is the sign of Jonah that Jesus promises?

When some scribes and Pharisees demanded a sign, Jesus called them an evil and unfaithful generation. He said they would not get a sign on their terms, except the sign of the prophet Jonah. Jonah was three days and three nights in the great fish. In the same way, the Son of Man would be three days and three nights in the earth. This points to Jesus’ death and rising again. The people asking for signs are warned that a far greater one than Jonah is among them, yet they refuse to repent.

Why does Jesus say a greater than Jonah and Solomon is here?

Jesus reminds his hearers that the people of Nineveh repented at Jonah’s short message, and the queen of the south traveled far to hear Solomon’s wisdom. Both responded to lesser light than the people now had. Yet many who stood before Jesus, who is greater than Jonah the preacher and greater than Solomon the wise king, refused to listen or repent. On the day of judgment, their response will shame this hard-hearted generation. The point is that greater light brings greater responsibility.

What does the story about the unclean spirit returning teach?

Jesus tells of an unclean spirit leaving a person, wandering, then returning to find the “house” empty, swept, and in order. The spirit then brings seven worse spirits, and the final state is worse than before. He applies this to that wicked generation. The picture warns that it is not enough to be outwardly cleaned up or free from one evil. If a life is left empty of God, evil can return even more strongly. Hearing Jesus but not receiving him and his rule leaves a person open to greater trouble.

Who does Jesus say are his mother and brothers, and what does that mean?

When Jesus’ mother and brothers stood outside wanting to speak to him, he used the moment to teach. He stretched out his hand toward his disciples and said that those who do the will of his Father in heaven are his brother, sister, and mother. He is not rejecting his earthly family, but showing that spiritual ties are deeper than blood ties. Belonging to Jesus’ family means listening to God and obeying him. Anyone who trusts and follows God’s will is welcomed that near to Jesus.

Matt.12.1

Matthew 12:1

KJV

At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.

The Lord of the Sabbath

Sabbath Questions

1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.

2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.

3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;

4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?

5 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?

6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.

7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

Lord of the Sabbath

8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

9 And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:

10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.

11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?

12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

God’s Chosen Servant

15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

16 And charged them that they should not make him known:

17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my Spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.

20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

A House Divided

The Pharisees Rebuked

22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.

23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?

24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.

28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

The Unpardonable Sin

30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

The Unpardonable Sin

31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Good and Bad Fruit

Words Reveal Character

33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

The Sign of Jonah

The Desire for Signs

38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.

39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

An Unclean Spirit Returns

43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

Changed Relationships

46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.

47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.